No.7472, Rifleman, James HERBERT
Aged 33
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Born in 1882 (3rd qtr Bury St.Edmunds 4a:593) son of Henry James and Agnes Vickers HERBERT (née ASHMAN)
1891 census...Aged 9, he was at 90 Cannon Street, Bury St.Edmunds with his father Henry James HERBERT [38] tailor; his mother Agnes V [32]; sisters Kate [5] and Ellen [8 months]; brother Charles [3]. All born in Bury St.Edmunds His father died in 1893. 1901 census...Aged 19, a pawnbroker's assistant, he was boarding at 8 Row 44, Great Yarmouth. His widowed mother, now recorded as born at Hawstead, was a sweet shop and bakers owner resident at 146 Cemetery Road with his sisters Kate and Ellen; brothers Charlie and Frederick [3] Frederick's father unknown 1911 census...Aged 28 he was a Rifleman in the King's Royal Rifle Corps in India . His mother and brothers Charles and Fred were still at 146 Cemetery Road. |
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He enlisted in Bury St.Edmunds. The war diary has:- Oct.31st..About 11 am a report was received that the line was broken on our left and that the Welsh were retiring. At the same time some troops in front broke and the Germans occupied a wood, enfilading our right. A and B Coys hung on for some time under heavy fire and kept the Germans back, but eventually had to fall back to the N side of the road. The machine guns now came up and fired from behind a barrier and fired point blank into the right of the line. Howard-Bury, who was now in command, all the officers of A Coy having been killed or wounded, now gave the order to fall back on the trenches in front of the Chateau - he brought back the Coy in good order covered by M.G. fire. Drimner ? did splendid work and got both guns away, but had to leave his tripods temporarily. Meanwhile C and D Coys who covered the retirement under Major Warre had also fallen back as their flanks were exposed- Eventually the battalion, now reduced to about 150 men advanced to a line S of VELDHOEK which they held till about 1 am, when C and D Coys moved down towards the right of the line under Howard-Bury, and A and B Coys were withdrawn to the Chateau in support. Upton was wounded just before the retirement began and the Colonel soon after when going through the Chateau grounds to report to Bde HQ. Major Philips then assumed command of the Battn. Casualties : Officers killed 2/Lt DEAN; wounded and missing Captain SPOTTISWOOD, 2/Lt St AUBYN and GOAD; wounded Lt Col SEROCOLD, Captain SEYMOUR, Lt UPTON, Lt BOUVDERIE and 2/Lt FISHER. N.C.O.s and men about 400 killed, wounded and missing
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